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The Essence of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is my favorite American holiday. Upon moving to Minnesota, one of my American coworkers invited our family of three to her house for Thanksgiving. After dinner, the host put the left-over turkey in the big cast iron pot to the outdoor porch piling up several inches of snow. It was the first time I witnessed the benefit of icy winter that can be used as a natural refrigerator. Every time I recall this scene, the bitter winter seems more friendly to me. However, I didn’t have this mindset in the beginning. The first five years after coming to Minnesota, I shivered with coldness every winter while asking God why I ended up here.

If God did answer me, would I have complained less? How often parents found themselves explaining to the child that some training is good for his/her future, the disobedient child not only shuts his/her ears but also grumbles while trying to avoid the hard work. Therefore, I gradually understand that people who complain with ungrateful hearts are lover of themselves and poor in spirit. However, Jesus says: “…I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10) If the sincere gratitude is regarded like priceless treasure, how rich for the people who count their blessings.

From the teaching in the Bible, I understand the following truth about thankfulness.

  1. God is the object to whom we give our thankfulness

The relationship between God and us is like loving parents treat their children; instead of the exchange of benefit between the employer and the employee. But the Bible says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. What does “fall short of the glory of God” mean? Imagine someone took the masterpiece you created as his own without mentioning your name. This person falls short of the honor of you and steals the credit belonged to you. However, the just God wants us to live a life with integrity, rather than stealing and give opportunity to devil. Therefore, Christians ought to thank God for creating us and giving us grace, as well as for the people who help you. Don’t take pride in our good work and make the credit our own.

  1. The heart of gratitude is the result of a changed life

The Bible says that God removed our heart of stone and gave us a new heart (refer to Ezekiel 36:26) so that we can feel the warmth of God’s love. Therefore, being thankful is not a means of getting happiness, but a result naturally flowing out of our hearts which acknowledge only the almighty God can meet all our needs.

  1. Gratitude is a humble attitude

The Bible says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6 ) In Greek, “with” thanksgiving carries the meaning of “along with”, which is having a thankful attitude when coming to pray. When we have the heart of fearing God as our Lord and the humility as a servant, we can sincerely give thanks to God. When God enlighten the eyes of our hearts, we will forget about ourselves while we feel so good about all our God’s attributes.

  1. Being thankful is a command with blessing

The Bible says, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (2 Thessalonians 5:18 ) Christians obey God’s commands, not out of obligation, but out of love. We recognize God’s commands are the channel of His blessing. Consequently, we give thanks to God because God is worthy of our worship. We don’t need to wait to thank God until everything goes smoothly; we can give thanks in all circumstances if we have divine perspective. This perspective is not derived from moral or psychological effect, but from God who happily grants to those who don’t cherish iniquity in their hearts. (refer to Psalms 66:18)

From practicing thankfulness, I gain the following joy.

  1. Giving thanks to God is glorifying God.

In the Old Testament, God chose Israelites to be a role model for the world to know that Yahweh God is the only true God in the universe. Likewise, in the New Testament, the gospel of Jesus Christ came to the Gentiles so that Christians are also entrusted with the privilege and purpose of glorifying the name of God. When we open mouths to thank God, it is glorifying God because the Bible says, “The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me.” (Psalms 50:23)

  1. Giving thanks to God brings about life.

God doesn’t need humans’ praise; but humans need to give thanks to God for escaping the sinful self-centeredness. The Bible says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” (Proverbs 18:21) When king David saw the people who boasted of evil and trusted in the abundance of his riches plotted destruction and spoke lies, the consequence was that they got broken down forever by God. (refer to Psalms 52) When we are thankful in our hearts, our mouths can speak the fitting words for building up and give grace to ourselves and those who hear. (refer to Ephesians 4:29)

  1. Giving thanks to God makes me bold.

While being unable to give thanks in trouble, we shall recall how God has come through for us in the past. When king David was seized by the enemies, he cried out to God, then his enemies turned back so that he knew that God was for him. Therefore, he can say with confidence: “In God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (refer to Psalms 56)

  1. Giving thanks to God makes me more than conqueror in front of devil.

The Bible says, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11) When I obey the truth with a thankful heart, the devil’s lies of distorting God’s truth is quickly exposed, as well as the secular paradox. As a result, I am assured of my divine identify and value.

While praying at all times in the Spirit, I continue practicing giving thanks to God in the following ways.

  1. Study God’s word

The Bible says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2) On one hand, equip with Bible truth; on the other hand, refuse to listen to the untruthful lies. Studying Bible is not only for gaining knowledge or sharing gospel, but also knowing God more intimately through the Holy Spirit. The more we know God, the more our thoughts in flesh will be removed. Gradually, we shall grow mature to fit God’s holiness as a new creation.

  1. Discipline my body and keep it under control

When I find myself starting to complain due to my sins, I quickly confess them to God and pray for Holy Spirit to fill my heart. Then I learn from King David who said to himself, “My heart is steadfast; Awake, my soul. I will magnify Him with thanksgiving.” (refer to Psalms 57:8; 69:30) I command my emotion, thought and body to submit to my will so that I can open my mouth to give thanks to God, instead of being controlled by the flesh emotion. I learned that giving thanks is an effective weapon in blocking depression.

  1. Point to God as the object whom we give thanks to.

The Bible says, “to declare your steadfast love in the morning and your faithfulness by night.” (Psalms 92:2) I give thanks to God for myself and my family every morning that He gives us new mercy as well as the grace and strength for today’s work. Before going to bed by night, I ask myself and my children what we are thankful for during the day. And I thank God for faithfully provides and protects us today.

When my children have success in what they do, I remind them that it is God who gives them strength and grace to accomplish their tasks. It is valuable to help children learn to give glory to God so that they don’t fall into the sin of pride because “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

When the children fail in what they tried and feel frustrated, I remind them to thank God who is 100 percent for us because of our faith and God promises not to leave us or forsake us so that we can continue to work hard.

感恩的真諦與實踐

感恩節是我最喜歡的美國節日。剛到明州時，有個美國同事邀我們全家去她家過感恩節。飯後主人把吃不完的大火雞，整鍋放在積雪的陽台上。我第一次見識到冰天雪地的好處，就是用來做天然的冷凍庫。當我想起這一幕，冷冽寒冬變得親切可愛。但我不是一開始就能這樣想。來明州的頭五年，每年冬天我一邊冷得發抖，一邊問上帝為什麼我會在這裡？

如果上帝真回答我，我就不再抱怨嗎？好像父母跟孩子說有個訓練對他將來有益，但不順服的孩子不僅聽不進去，可能還因貪圖輕鬆、想逃避眼前的困難而怨聲載道。我漸漸明白，常常怨天尤人、不知感恩的人，心靈其實貧乏或專顧自己。（參提摩太後書三2）但主耶穌說：「我來了是要叫羊得生命，並且得的更豐盛。」（約翰福音十10）如果真心的感恩是可數的珍寶，那麼收集愈多感恩的人，生命何等富足。

從聖經的教導，我領悟以下有關感恩的真諦。

一、感恩的對象是上帝

聖經說：「世人都犯了罪，虧缺了上帝的榮耀。」（羅馬書三23），這是什麼意思呢？想像有人把你精心的創作當成自己的，連你的名字都不提，這就是偷竊了原本屬於你的榮譽。公義的上帝希望我們活出正直的生命，不給魔鬼留地步。所以基督徒當感謝上帝賜下生命和各樣恩典，也為幫助你的人感謝上帝；不以為人定勝天，把該給上帝的榮耀佔為己有。

二、感恩的心是生命改變的結果

聖經說上帝除去信徒的石心，給我們肉心（參以西結書36:26），使我們能感受到上帝愛的溫暖。上帝與我們的關係有如慈愛的父母對孩子，而不是雇主與勞工之間的利益交換。因此感恩不是得著快樂的手段，而是認知到只有全能上帝能滿足我一切需要，從心中自然湧流出來的結果。

三、感恩是謙卑的態度

聖經說：「應當一無掛慮，只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求，和感謝，將你們所要的告訴神。」（腓立比書四6）這裡的「和」字，希臘原文是「和…一起」，意思是帶著感謝的態度來禱告與祈求。有尊主為大、僕人心志的謙卑態度，才能真誠地向上帝感恩。當上帝照明我們心中的眼睛時，我們會因讚嘆祂的大能以至於忘記自己有什麼了不起。

四、感恩是帶著祝福的誡命

聖經說：「凡事謝恩，因為這是神在基督耶穌裡向你們所定的旨意。」（帖撒羅尼迦前書五18）基督徒守上帝的誡命，不是出於責任感，乃是因被愛而明白誡命是上帝賜下祝福的管道。我們感謝上帝，因為上帝配得我們的崇敬；不必等到一切順利才能感謝；只要有上帝的眼光，就能凡事謝恩。這個眼光，不是道德情操或心理作用，而是上帝樂意賜下給心中不受罪孽轄制的人。

我從實踐感恩的經驗中得著以下的喜樂。

一、向上帝感恩能榮耀上帝

在舊約中，上帝揀選猶太人，要他們成為榜樣，使世人認識耶和華神是唯一的真神。在新約中，主耶穌赦罪的福音臨到外邦人，也賦予基督徒一樣的特權與目的，就是彰顯上帝的名。當我們開口感謝主，就是榮耀上帝，因為聖經說：「凡以感謝獻上為祭的，便是榮耀我。」（詩篇50:23）

二、向上帝感恩帶來生命

上帝不需要人的讚美，但人們需要因讚美上帝脫離自我感覺良好的罪惡陷阱。聖經說：「生與死在舌頭的權下，喜愛它的必吃它所結的果子。」（箴言十八21）當大衛看到那些倚靠自己、不承認上帝才是賜下力量來源的人，他們的口愛說詭詐的謊言，結果招致毀滅。（參詩篇52）當我們心中常懷感謝，我們的口就能說出造就人的好話，叫自己和別人聽見都得益處。（參以弗所書四29）

三、向上帝感恩使我勇敢

遇到困境不知如何感恩時，要回想上帝曾經如何幫助我們。大衛想起他被仇敵抓住時，他呼求上帝，他的仇敵都轉身退後。大衛清楚知道上帝幫助了他，因此他能說：「我倚靠神，必不懼怕，人能把我怎麼樣呢？」（參詩篇56）

四、向上帝感恩使我在惡者面前誇勝

聖經說：「要穿戴神所賜的全副軍裝，就能抵擋魔鬼的詭計。」（以弗所書六11）當我以感恩的心禱告遵行真理，撒但扭曲上帝的謊言在我面前無所遁形，世界似是而非的謬論也不攻自破，使我堅定自己的身份與價值。

除了靠聖靈隨時、多方禱告祈求，以下是我操練持續感恩的方法。

一、研讀上帝的話

聖經說：「不要效法這個世界，只要心意更新而變化，叫你們察驗何為神的善良、純全、可喜悅的旨意。」（羅馬書十二2）要從聖經認識真理，同時拒絕聽信違背真理的謊言。讀聖經不光是為了增長知識或對人傳福音，而是在聖靈的帶領中，我們愈多認識上帝，愈能除去老我屬肉體的心思意念，然後成熟長進成符合上帝聖潔屬性的新造的人。

二、攻克己身，叫身服我

發現自己因罪性開始抱怨時，我快快向主認罪，並禱告求聖靈掌管我的心靈。我也學習大衛對自己說：「我心堅定，我的靈啊，你要醒起。我要以感謝稱祂為大。」（參詩篇57:8, 69:30）並命令我的情緒、思想、身體要服從我的意志，使我開口感謝上帝，不被抱怨的情緒控制。感恩是防禦沮喪的有效招式。

三、將感恩的對象指向上帝

聖經說：「早晨傳揚你的慈愛，每夜傳揚你的信實。」（詩篇92:1）我一早會為自己和家人向主禱告，感謝祂給我新的憐憫和一天工作所需的恩典與力量。晚上睡前我問自己和孩子今天有何感恩的事，並謝謝上帝的信實供應與保護。當孩子表現良好，我提醒他是誰給他力量或恩賜來完成？幫助孩子學習把榮耀歸給上帝，不落入自傲的罪裡，因為「神阻擋驕傲的人，賜恩給謙卑的人。」（雅各書四6）當孩子為失敗自責時，我提醒他感謝上帝因我們的信，百分之百站在我們這邊，對我們不離不棄，使我們能繼續努力。

《讚美的祝福》在讚美中遇見上帝

去年四月六日，先生對我說：「我明天不用帶便當了。」

「哦，明天公司有活動嗎？」我問。

「不是，後天也不用帶了。」先生停頓了一下，似乎在等我猜猜看。

因為事前一點徵兆都沒有，我想該不會是被裁員了吧？我想起曾看過美國同事被裁員時，壓抑著憤怒羞愧的神情，被公司要求馬上收拾東西離開辦公室。而先生接下來的回答，證實我的想法。

夫妻身陷失業風暴
「我為你禱告，希望你能平心靜氣接受。」先生說。

先生體諒我的軟弱，知道我替全家擔心，可能比他失去工作更難受。上帝真的垂聽先生的禱告，使我雖遇上暴風，但祂把我放在暴風圈的中心，沒有風浪。接下來我們一起計算每個月要繳的房貸、保險、生活支出，並求主保守全家人，在這段期間不要生病看醫生。

先生很努力丟履歷表，我仍然去參加小組查經。那天小組聚會唱詩歌時，我唱到《讚美中遇見你》。歌詞說：「我渴望親眼見你，渴望摸著你心意。讚美中世界都褪色，榮耀單單歸你。」我比往常更放聲高唱，因為這是我真心的禱告，是我對上帝的呼求。

那天聚會結束，我帶著平安的心情回家，我知道天父的信實何其廣大，我的一切需要，祂都必預備。我感謝上帝帶我到這個小組，在我需要時，小組姊妹為我禱告，因為上帝喜悅聖徒們同心合意的代求。

思想神的預備為何
兩週過去了，我開始想：我或許應該去找工作，一方面幫助家庭需要，另一方面可以減輕先生工作壓力，讓他在家休息、多有機會讀經禱告。因為我辭職在家後，有更多時間親近上帝，實在獲益良多，應該也給先生這個機會吧！

於是我應徵一個基督教學校的教師工作。但幾週過去了，這個學校遲遲沒有回音。聖經說：「人心籌算自己的道路，惟耶和華指引他的腳步。」（箴言十六章9節）有一天我的心受聖靈感動，誠實地向神說：「主啊，我願意選擇最好的，就是在主的腳前聆聽您的教導，做討您喜悅的事。如果可以選擇，我希望繼續留在家裡，以禱告和寫作來服事您。我相信您會透過我的先生供應全家的需要。」

我繼續以感謝為祭獻給上帝，讚美祂信實與慈愛的屬性，期待祂在沙漠中開道路。當我在讚美中，注視主耶穌基督為我死在十架上的救恩，我體會到如此大的恩典，已經遠超過我這一生加總獲得的祝福；即便是中樂透、一輩子不愁吃穿，都不及此恩典的千萬分之一。因為主耶穌的寶血為我換來的是脫離黑暗死亡，進入自由、光明的永恆生命，使我每分每秒都有祂同在的喜樂。

在沙漠中開道路的神
在肯德雷克兄弟（Stephen & Alex Kendrick）寫的《爭戰禱告計畫》（The battle plan for prayer）一書說到，上帝對我們全面的旨意，就是「榮耀上帝的名、拓展上帝的國度、尊上帝為一生的主。」如果這是我們的心態，並認定我們一生中所有的決定都不離開這些目標，我們就會持續並專心地為自己能順服上帝來禱告。然後在上帝預定的時刻，我們就會看見祂開路，並清楚我們下一個腳步；即便我們錯過，祂也保守我們不至失去信心。

一個月又十天後，我的先生得到一份工作，使我更確信自己服事上帝的心意與方向。

聖經說：「當稱謝進入祂的門，當讚美進入祂的院，當感謝祂，稱頌祂的名！」（詩篇一百篇4節）來到上帝面前禱告時，如果我們懷著讚美與感謝的心，聖靈會使我們確信，主耶穌基督這個好牧羊人，不會讓任何一隻屬於祂的羊落入危險，並使我們躺臥在青草地上，領我們安歇在溪水邊。（參詩篇廿三篇2節）

文章來源：基督教論壇報 https://www.ct.org.tw/1314423#ixzz4y3W23lJu

立霧工作坊邀亞洲藝術家 文化交流

圖：來自台灣的藝術家們受邀到明州雙城舉辦藝術講座。左一起：陳雯俐、Darren Tesar(立霧工作坊節目總監)、Flynn(講座主持人)、張恩滿、李若玫、林仁達。（圖片由陳雯俐提供）

記者陳曼玲╱明尼蘇達州報導

來自台灣花蓮的明州藝術家陳雯俐，目前任教於威斯康辛大學，月前策劃邀請六位來自台灣、新加坡、南韓的藝術家，在威斯康辛大學的芙蓉藝廊展覽與座談，與西方藝術家交流，並擴展美國學子對亞洲文化的認識，許多亞裔學生對自己身份認同與台灣政治現況有廣大迴響。

陳雯俐的祖父母是原住民。因為歷經日本殖民統治到戒嚴時期的恐懼，祖母不曾提起自己家族的歷史，直到有學者做調查訪問祖母時，陳雯俐才知道自己不是阿美族，而是噶瑪蘭族後代。陳雯俐說她從小受族人頭目、也是業餘攝影師的祖父影響，耳濡目染喜歡影像、老照片，在學校上美術課時常專心到忘記時間。陳雯俐希望用藝術創作為出口，重新認識面對自己。從淡江俄文系畢業後，她自學設計，從事文案和相關設計工作，三十歲時到英國念設計研究所。

陳雯俐以攝影捕捉生活，面對自己與環境的關係。她藉由處理已「逝去」的照片，追尋殘留在影像中的蛛絲馬跡。她以女性的角度嘗試理解在急遽開發下造成世代交替的台灣，她發現母親那一代的價值觀對她愈來愈抽象，而祖母的原住民傳承幾乎滅絕。但從攝影的經驗與影像的交互輝映，並從族人的老照片裡，陳雯俐挖掘許多個人省思與回憶，以及找到她對台灣女性的認同感。

陳雯俐有感於台灣城鄉差距大，在2014年於花蓮開辦立霧工作坊，推廣藝文活動，給家鄉孩子創作想像的機會。此次以「立霧工作坊」名義邀請三位台灣藝術家，用藝術訴說人與環境的互動。台東出生的張恩滿，展出名為「競技場」的錄像作品。有一半排灣族血統的張恩滿，用藝術關心都會原住民。她以原住民創作為元素，但不消費原住民印象。畢業於台灣藝術大學美術碩士的李若玫展出「藍色研究，尤加利樹」，她細心觀察日常易被忽略的自然事物，找尋與當地歷史文化牽連的記憶風景。出生於高雄，畢業於台南藝術大學的林仁達，展出名為「月台電影」的錄像作品，記錄他把士林捷運站旁的頂樓居所，打造成一座與城市公共空間互動的私人電影院。

陳雯俐喜歡與生活有關的創作。她廣泛閱讀藝術史、哲學等書籍來發展自己的視覺語言。陳雯俐覺得勤能補拙，她說藝術家要找到一個創作時很享受，停不下來的中心點；並在現實與創作之間取得平衡。

This is the war. Day25

I went to two separate kick-off meetings of Mom’s prayer group this year. In the meetings, each mom got to pick a stone to write one attribute about God in red Sharpie pen. The first time, I picked a white stone and I wrote “Victor”. The second time, I picked a black stone and wrote “Mercy”. I look at these two stones and learn a precious lesson.
My heart of sins was like the black stone, atoned by Jesus’ blood of mercy after I confessed all my sins convicted by Holy Spirit. Then my sins were forgiven and I have peace. Then my heart was like the white stone, is being transformed with God’s righteousness and divine nature. Moreover, God equips me with His full armor of Truth, Faith, Salvation, Righteousness, Peace (refer to Ephesians 6: 13-17). And God commands the victory for me.
During the spiritual warfare, I look at myself through God’s view as a victor because the battle belongs to God, who has overcome the world. But when I come to the presence of God, I meditate the miraculous power of God to transform my status of life from a forgiven sinner (the black stone with Mercy) to the victorious saint (the white stone with Victory).
As a result, the humility and love well up from the bottom of my heart when I gaze at the wonderful work God has accomplished in my life through Jesus Christ’s blood.
The Bible says about the woman, who loved Jesus and came to Him, wetting Jesus’ feet with her tears and wiping them with her hair, and kissing His feet. She came because she loved Him. Because she loved, she was not shameful to confess her sins to Him. Therefore, Jesus forgave her many sins and she was saved by believing Jesus with love. The result is that she could go in peace without guilt any more. (refer to Luke 7:44-50)
Pursue loving God with all your heart because there’s no fear in perfect love (refer to 1 John 4:18). Then you will come to Him with confidence (refer to Ephesians 3:12) that He loves you based on your faith to Jesus Christ alone. But if you truly give your heart to love God, remind yourself to run away from the old habits of sins (refer to Jude 23) and revere God’s teaching and discipline (refer to Philippians 2:12).
So I pray: Lord, God, we praise You for sending Jesus Christ to the world, who shed His precious blood to atone for our sins, redeem us from the slavery of sins, forgive our sins, reconcile with Heavenly Father, restore our royal identity as Your child, sanctify us to do Your good work, and protect us from devil’s lies. Please open our eyes to see the wonderful work in your Word. Please fill us with the love of Holy Spirit so that we can love You with all our heart, will, mind and strength to be more than conquerors.

This is the war. Day24

How do you know you have Holy Spirit as a reborn Christian? I asked a lady, Lori, in my BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) group, who grew up in a Christian family. Her answer is simple but profound to me. She says, “I have Holy Spirit within me because I believe what the Bible says: ‘And in Him you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, having heard and believed the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.’ (Ephesians 1:13)”
The action for receiving this promised assurance is: Believe.
After this action, the result will be displaying obviously: We ought to love, have peace, hope and joy. As Pastor John Piper wrote: “’We ought to love each other’ (refer to 1 John 4:11),” he means ought the way fish ought to swim in water and birds ought to fly in the air and living creatures ought to breathe” because “God’s spirit is in us. God’s nature is in us.” (*See note)
Religious people who think they are doing good things to go to heaven make a huge ungodly mistake, which is called self-righteousness. As Pastor John Piper wrote, “It’s one or the other: law-keeping to establish my righteousness or faith alone to rest in His.”
As oil doesn’t mix with water, God-center righteousness is mutually exclusive with human-center righteousness.
Today, turn away from self-center righteousness to God-center righteousness. You will have the assurance of going to heaven through Holy Spirit sealed in you by God’s grace.
So I pray: Lord, God, we thank You for giving us Your righteousness in Jesus Christ through our faith alone. Your unconditional forgiving love only requires our faith to Jesus Christ as Your redemption for our sins. We cannot be more moral or virtuous to earn Your salvation because Jesus Christ alone is our salvation. Jesus Christ’ blood is enough to save the sinners who repent. We praise Your great work has been done victoriously!
*Note: https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/the-new-birth-produces-love
Song: By Faith https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXB8ihepUpE

This is the war. Day22

Have you seen how the sheep respond to their shepherd? There’s a video on youtube showing people testing the sheep and see how they react to the different voices. It’s a touching moment to see the sheep not only respond to their shepherd but quickly run to him (*see Note1).
Jesus Christ says in the Bible, “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)
Jesus Christ also says in the Bible, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:3)
Where is Jesus Christ now? He says, “But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.” (Luke 22:69)
Why can Jesus Christ sit by the side of God? It’s because He, in very nature God, took the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, not a glorious death, but on the shameful cross. Therefore, God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth. (refer to Philippians 2:6-10)
No matter how powerful idols you are worshiping, they all need to bow down to the only one name approved by God. Therefore, if you think you believe there’s a God but don’t know which religion to go, ask God to show you the true one. If you think you hear God’s voice but not sure, test it by asking if that voice confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. If that voice doesn’t confess Jesus as God, it is not from God. (refer to 1 John 4:2-3)
So I pray: Lord, God, please give us listening ears in our hearts and discernment in our spirits. As Your sheep, we listen to Your truth and obey Your guiding. As a result, we will know who is the true God when You come back to bring us to a better home some day. When the voice of the world tries to lead us astray like a wolf, please provide an escape for us to quickly run to you. When you call us by each of our name, make us happily jump up to follow You without hesitation.
*Note1:video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e45dVgWgV64&t=1s
*Song: The shepherd’s voice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS-UTKZH4AU

This is the war. Day21

What is prayer? Whom do you pray to? How are you sure there’s someone listening to your prayer?
In Christianity, praying is a two-way conversation, not a monologue. When you pray to God, you are not speaking to the air or throwing out your request to the unknown spiritual power without expecting the answer. First, if you recognize God as your Heavenly Father, you know whom you are talking to. Second, when you talk to God, you are sure He listens because that’s what the Bible says. Third, when you truly pray in Spirit, the result is you will get to know God more and know yourself more. And you will also learn to access the resource in God’s kingdom through the prayer.
The Bible says, “I love the Lord, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy. Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.” (Psalm 116:1-2, NIV)
Praying is the most precious privilege and authority God gives to the believers who receive Jesus Christ as their Savior. Talk to Him at anytime, anyplace, because Jesus Christ has paid all of the cost for you to have the unlimited line with this powerful and loving Father and Creator of the universe.
So I pray: Lord, God, thank You for always listening to us when we humble ourselves and come to You. Thank You for giving this precious privilege for talking to You anything in our mind, pleading to You for what we need, and speaking on behalf of others for their benefit. May You teach us how to pray for knowing You, ourselves, and advancing Your Kingdom through Holy Spirit within us.

This is the war. Day19

A sad but true story happened to a friend’s family: A lady attended a spiritual event and joined the group. She was taught to “be herself” for finding her happiness. Later she was asked for money contribution to the group. However, her husband found out her continuous spending on this purpose so he didn’t allow her to do it anymore. For some reason, she committed a suicide.
It is one of many reasons people may regard religious people or spiritual groups as maniac or lack of rationality.
The Bible says, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1, ESV)
The false thoughts exist not only in various religions or philosophies, but also in the daily news, books, or gossip from coworkers, etc. Avoiding to have contact with these false thoughts is not an effective way of finding security; learning the truth to filter out the lies is a better solution.
There is a Creator God of this universe knows everything and He is good to always telling the truth. The truth you want to learn is recorded in the Bible, a collection of writings, in which the earliest ones were written nearly 3500 years ago without one word being changed. (*see note)
Do you want to find the wisdom of telling good from evil? Jesus Christ is the way and the truth. Coming to learn from Him is the beginning of wisdom.
So I pray: Lord God, please give us a heart of fearing the true God so that we can learn from Your wisdom. Please teach us when we open the Bible to seek Your guidance and live with peace and discernment in the truth-distorting, levity-mixing, paradox-permeating society.
*Note: https://www.biblica.com/resources/bible-faqs/when-was-the-bible-written/

This is the war. Day18

What is happiness? A mother said she wants her daughter to have smooth life without any trouble. A man said he wants to save all the money he needs for the retirement. Another man said he wants to have a pain-free life with healthy body to the end.
How you define true happiness for your life results in the direction of pursuing it.
If a student wants to be happy with one-time success in the exam, he can memorize the answers for questions within a short time and forget them all after the test. However, we grew up understanding life is not just for one or several tests but a marathon to persevere to run toward to the bigger goal.
What is the ultimate goal for humans from God’s perspective?
The Bible says, “…Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14, NIV)
All the temporary happiness from smooth journey, money, and health will fade away when we walk toward the end of the life. What we can bring to the eternal life is only by knowing who our Creator, Savoir, and Lord is so that we will desire to live forever with Him. The trouble in this life may give us hard time, but it also gives us an opportunity to seek the way out of the doom.
If you are a reborn Christian, your life is truly happier in three ways (*see note):
1. You know all your guilt has been removed because Jesus Christ paid the price of being condemned guilty on the cross.
2. The bitterness permeating in your soul is removed by the power of Jesus Christ and is replaced with joy of praise through Holy Spirit.
3. Your inner life is being transformed by the work of Holy Spirit living within you.
So I pray: Lord, God, a life not given to great things is not worth living. We thank You for risking Your only Son’s life to redeem our lives. May You give us vision and courage to risk our earthly life for pursuing the heavenly greatness. Our aim is not historical influence, but eternal impact. Then, we will press on toward the goal to win the prize You call us to receive.
*Read more from Pastor John Piper’s sharing about happiness and taking risk for life:
https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/how-much-of-my-happiness-is-settled-by-factors-outside-my-immediate-control
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/risk-your-kids-for-the-kingdom